As requested by FG, court strikes out forgery charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu

A high court in Abuja has granted the application of the federal government to withdraw the forgery charge against Bukola Saraki, senate president, and Ike Ekweremadu, his deputy.

Yusuf Halilu, the judge, struck out the entire suit against the duo, alongside Salisu Maikasuwa, former clerk of the national assembly, and Ben Efeturi, his deputy.

They were accused of forging the senate standing rules that led to the emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu as leaders of the senate in June 2015.

On Friday, Aliyu Umar, counsel to the federal government, explained that he applied for the withdrawal of the initial and amended charge due to the fact that a similar case involving the accused was before the federal high court.

The case in question was filed by Gilbert Nnaji, one of the senators loyal to Saraki, before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the federal high court, Abuja, to oppose investigations into the alleged forgery.

“I filed a motion in response to the first and second defendants. I have been served with another motion by the third defendant dated 30th September 2016,” Umar told the court.

“I was served a notice by the fourth defendant on 1st October 2016, I have not responded but I have studied them. In view of the fact that this government respects the rule of law and judicial hierarchy and it is obvious that that your learned brother is dealing with similar issues at the federal high court, I am humbly applying that the amended charged I filed dated 5th October 2016, and original dated 3rd June be withdrawn. I urge my lord to strike them out.”

Ruling on the application, Yusuf Halilu, the judge granted the application, saying: “Having heard his submission, I have no other option but to strike out the entire suit.”